Every day your mouth is teeming with both good and bad bacterium which is why good oral hygiene is important in order to keep the bad bacteria in check.
If the bad bacterium takes over it will cause a multitude of health problems overall in your body.
If you feel that your oral health may be affecting your overall health you should visit your family dentist waterloo.
Other health issues
If you have poor oral health it can cause the following issues:
- Endocarditis an infection in the inner lining of the heart
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Premature births and low birth weights
- Gingivitis the mildest form of gum disease
- Periodontal disease
- Trench mouth ulcerative gingivitis
Your mouth can tell a whole lot about your overall health just from the saliva in your mouth.
Saliva can be tested for things like thrush (yeast infection), bone loss, certain cancers, illegal drugs, environmental toxins, hormones, and antibodies indicating hepatitis or HIV infection.
Saliva is also a defense by washing bacteria away.
Good oral hygiene helps your entire body
Brushing twice a day and flossing helps keep the bad bacteria at the correct levels which can reduce the chances of gingivitis and other health concerns.
If you do not use a power toothbrush, brush in a circular motion without scrubbing. Scrubbing too hard damages and thins the enamel of your teeth.
Floss by sliding the floss up and down and not using a sawing motion of back and forth. Be sure to go all the way to the gum line.
Visiting your Waterloo dentist twice a year for an exam and dental cleaning also is part of good oral hygiene. This will help remove any plaque or tartar that you have missed with flossing and brushing before it can cause infection with the bad bacteria.
